HC Seeks Detailed Action Plan From JTF On Elephant Deaths In Odisha

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday directed the joint task force (JTF), constituted for preventing unnatural elephant deaths in the state, to come up with a comprehensive scheme to address the problem.

The task force has also been asked to take into account crop loss suffered due to the man-elephant conflict in the scheme. If such a scheme, it has been directed to explain the timeline for disposing claims of compensation and the amount that has been disbursed so far. The task force will submit a report on execution of its plan by January 18, 2023.

The court further directed JTF to address the issue of preventive measures taken to check elephant deaths on tracks after perusing the affidavit filed by Chief Conservator of Forests, Odisha, Dr Manoj V Nair, who is also the convener of the task force, on Tuesday.

The affidavit stated that all elephant corridors will be identified in Odisha and people living near them sensitised on the protection of the pachyderms. A draft comprehensive action plan (CAP) to curb elephant deaths due to packing, electrocution and train accidents will be fully implemented by December this year was filed. It indicated that the electricity distribution companies have already been consulted to address the issue of elephant deaths on account of electrocution.

The two-judge bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice MS Raman, however, said that the court expects a more detailed granular action plan on each of the two aspects (electrocution deaths and poaching cases) on the next date of hearing.